Jayalalithaa slams DMK decision

AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa on Monday said the decision of the DMK general council asking the State government to opt out of the five-member committee constituted by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court to study the issues relating to Mullaperiyar Dam would amount to violating the Indian Constitution.

In a statement here, she urged Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to nominate an efficient candidate to be a member of the committee and protect the interests of the State.

Accusing the Chief Minister of jettisoning the issue through a resolution adopted in the general council, Ms. Jayalalithaa said it was improper on the part of the Chief Minister to make such an announcement when he was duty-bound to protect the interests of the State.

Pointing out that the Supreme Court had constituted the committee on a petition filed by Tamil Nadu, she said the State’s decision to abstain from the committee would amount to supporting the law enacted by Kerala to nullify the earlier Supreme Court order in favour of Tamil Nadu.

“Will it not create a situation that there will be no one to represent the case of Tamil Nadu? Will the Supreme Court not come to a conclusion that Tamil Nadu has no points to argue? Will it not lead to the committee presenting a report in favour of Kerala and the Supreme Court delivering a judgment against Tamil Nadu?” she asked.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said in such an eventuality Tamil Nadu would have to approach the Supreme Court and it would cause further delay on the issue.

Arguing that Mr. Karunanidhi could not justify his stand, Ms. Jayalalithaa said the Chief Minister, who took oath under the Constitution, could not afford to spurn the ruling of the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.